Will we blame the strikers for being unreasonable or the government for being uncaring?

If this was the 1980s, the unions would be confident of winning public sympathy.

But 30 years on many more people are self-employed and making their own pension arrangements as best they can; still more are working in small businesses where striking to get better terms and conditions is simply impossible; and most of us are resigned to working until 70 (or beyond) before we’ll be able to retire.